§ SIR MASSEY LOPESsaid, he would beg to ask the Vice President of the Privy Council, Whether he intends to proceed with the Contagious Diseases (Animals) 1728 Bill this Session; and, if so, whether he does not think it would be more advisable that the Orders now in force with respect to the disposal or slaughter of Foreign Cattle at the ports of landing should be confirmed by statutory enactment rather than be left to the discretion of Her Majesty's Privy Council?
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUIt is absolutely necessary to proceed with the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill this Session, as the other Acts will otherwise expire. If a statutory enactment were passed to slaughter all foreign cattle at the ports, then such cattle must be slaughtered at all times and at every port, whether there be danger of cattle plague or not. On moving the Speaker from the Chair on that Bill, I will endeavour to show the almost insuperable difficulties which stand in the way of such an enactment. Such precautions have, however, been taken, that, even in times of danger, no evil has accrued. The hon. Baronet, therefore, will, I hope, then, allow that the discretion hitherto necessarily vested in the Privy Council has not been abused, and that it had better be continued.
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUcould not exactly state at what time he would be able to do so. The evening for which it now stood (Monday) might be all taken up by the Scotch Reform Bill.